I've been thinking about players whose skill amazed me back when I first got into hockey.
Gilbert Perreault, like Lemieux, was one of those players who could get me out my seat.
GP's most memorable move for me would be how he'd split two defenders, then deke a
goalie for a goal, looking perfectly smooth as he did so.
I recently learned that Gretzky coming up looked up to Gilbert Perreault so much that he wanted
to be #11 if his team didn't have #9 available. Perreault was so good that Bobby Orr called him
the best player he ever played against. There were even times that GP made BO look foolish on
the ice. How many players can even say they did that once to #4?
I miss watching theee Monsieur Gilbert Perreault. Glad we've got articles and highlights
by which to remember and celebrate him.
[Hidden Content]

Initially I'm shaking my head at this move.
I get the idea about trying to catch Cup again while a window
appears open, especially when the Kings weren't exactly a
playoff lock on everyone's list last time 'round, but I just don't think
that Kovalchuk = the financial move or the guy.
Consider how little space Vegas defense gave in the playoffs.
Does signing him really address such an important consideration?
If this risky action doesn't get LA a Cup before his birthday #38,
look for it to complicate the likely rebuild's that's gonna hit
Tinsel Town soon(ish).

I tend to agree in most places. Methinks Brown showed in his return to great form this past season that he certainly can be top-line material. Jenkins could prove a surprise and be that injection in a year or two. But the Kings really had no excuses for how they performed in the playoffs. They were competitive against, scored on, and beat the Knights in the regular season. Quick's usually fantastic, tends to become extra special in the postseason (as he was this last one), but the Kings just didn't deliver. They had the pieces to do so, as they already showed in Carter's regular-season return, but they just didn't. Inexcusable for a veteran team to go MIA on offense and get bounced in four games.
I hope Doughty keeps his mouth shut about Vegas and other teams this next season, focuses on speaking with his game, getting the boys back on track to threaten for some so they're not sippin sorrow on the golf course early again.

Cheers!
I just got a feeling as I studied him, watched his game, considered his situation, and compared him to a couple players rated higher--that this guy may be a better prospect than he's currently rated.
I get that scenario you propose there. I think the Kings may serve themselves well by picking Blade Jenkins and trading up for another go at the Cup this year. No use waiting to see how Doughty goes. Without some great draft picks and / or quality trades this year or next, I don't see this King core having too many more shots at the Cup. But of course I must speculate because Robitaille has gotten worse and worse at texting me back over the years.

Thank you, Ruxpin;
and thank you, Pilldoc...
"We need a left winger!"
No one who was there in the break-room at LA King headquarters that fateful day will forget the upheaval which followed that innocent and accurate outburst. Without considering context politically opposed employees--Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans, Greens, and Independents--converged on the break-room, knocking over a loaded piping-hot crock pot and a would-have-been-delicious deli tray, to begin a shouting and shoving fracas.
A professional female almost-robot-like voice called out over the intercom:
Rob Blake to the break-room, please; Mr. Rob Blake, please go to the break-room. You're needed there--again!
The legend burst onto the scene, pushed employees to various corners, and reminded them--robustly--that the comment was about both the NHL and HockeyForums.net drafts! He could be heard muttering "I thought I left this kind of crap back in the '90s" as he kicked a stack of cold-cuts out into the adjoining hallway and exited.
So with that--because of this prospect's skills, his made-for-hockey name, and because Grigori Denisenko may be an operative and / or hothead: the LA Kings are pleased to draft
Blade Jenkins from Saginaw in the OHL
!
Everyone in LA's not only excited about this kid's OHL rookie season--but they're pumped they could be the professional organization that gets him into a much-better-looking uniform!
According to Mike G. Morreale:
"Jenkins (6-1, 195) had a solid rookie season in the OHL with 44 points (20 goals, 24 assists) and 140 shots on goal in 68 games for the Spirit. He's an effective passer, has good hockey sense and competes, and can play physical when needed. Jenkins is at his best when keeping things simple, fighting for rebounds and deflections in the slot."
King players have expressed enthusiasm about the physical aspect to Blade's game. Jake Muzzin commented:
"We take a fairly simple approach to the physical side of things here in Los Angeles: In any game against Anaheim that's gone for more than a couple minutes, you just start swinging at the nearest Duck. I think Jenkins would fit right in."
I see this pick working a couple different ways for the Kings. Blade [<--so fun to write!] could progress soon and perhaps provide the missing playoff-offense ingredient if LA's contending again. I could also see this chap as a bargaining chip in a trade to get a more seasoned offensive threat on board now to strike before any possible Doughty departure makes the iron less hot. It does seem it's been on the left side where the Kings need the biggest offensive boost.
Blake in Action:
[some slick shots here!]
and Jenkins' first hat trick in the OHL ! :
Ladies and gentlemen, blokes and sheilas, homettes and homies...
please get the applause party started
for @More Hockey Stats' SJ pick!

It's been tough a lot of times on HF for the
to get much love. But I know they surprised
some folks, myself included, by making the
playoffs this year. They could be an up-and-coming
team. Combine that with their uniforms which they
hopefully make scarier like in days of old, and that
stadium there may start packing out again soon.
Shame on any "fans" who buy tickets only when
a team's going gangbusters.
P.S. Shame on any NJ fans too who aren't telling Brodeur to
knock it off with those lame Enterprise ads.

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